(9/14/2006) - Washington, D.C -- Following is a statement
Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife, gave
on the launch and formation of the Congressional Wildlife Refuge
Caucus.

"Defenders of Wildlife wishes to
congratulate and acknowledge the Members who have joined the Wildlife Refuge
Caucus. We are confident that this newly formed caucus will reinvigorate the
interest and support that is needed to maintain the refuges system's integrity
so it can continue to meet its critical wildlife conservation
mission.

"As these Members know, Teddy Roosevelt
made a promise with the establishment of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a
promise to the American people that we would protect our nation’s natural
heritage for future generations. The National Wildlife Refuge System is a
central part of that promise.

"Refuges provide some of the last and most
important strongholds of wildlife habitat in this country. And since its
founding, the Refuge System has grown to encompass arctic tundra and tropical
islands, to house the 1000-pound polar bear and the 1-ounce shrew, and to
provide stepping stones for millions of migratory birds.

Throughout its history, the Refuge System
has enjoyed bipartisan support in Congress. Almost ten years ago, Congress
strengthened the Refuge System with the overwhelming passage of the National
Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act. The Refuge Caucus continues this
bipartisan tradition and provides a strong voice for refuges in the halls of
Congress.

"The formation of the Caucus couldn’t have
come at a better time. Faced with a flattened budget and increased costs, in
seven years 98% of the refuges in the northeast will be bankrupt. Already, the
budget crunch is forcing the Fish and Wildlife Service to de-staff entire
refuges, and cut visitor services and habitat management at scores of refuges.
That affects wildlife and habitat, and the special natural places all Americans
enjoy.

"This is not the Refuge System Teddy
Roosevelt envisioned. This is not the Refuge System we want to leave for our
children.

"Our hope is that with the formation of
the Refuge Caucus we can all work together to make sure the Refuge System is
able to fulfill its promise to the American people."

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Defenders of Wildlife is a member of the Cooperative Alliance for Refuge
Enhancement, or CARE -- a broad coalition of 21 diverse wildlife,
sporting, conservation, and scientific organizations that represent a national
constituency numbering more than 5 million, Recognizing the value of a healthy
Refuge System to both the wildlife and habitats refuges were established to
protect, CARE, highlights the needs of national wildlife refuges and works to
secure strong investments in these remarkable lands and waters.